PoloDriver

Ahead of the Geneva motor show, Volkswagen has unveiled the much-rumoured plug-in hybrid of the Golf, the GTE. Borrowing a long-forgotten Audi designation, don’t go thinking that the GTE is a sandal-wearing, green-tinged eco special.

The Golf GTE has a top speed of 135mph and accelerates from 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds. Performance which qualifies the GTE as a fully paid up member of the sports Golf club.

Designed to be part of the Golf GTI/GTD family, the GTE promises a 31-mile electric-only range, an European driving cycle miles per gallon figure of 157, and a theoretical driving range of 584 miles.

The GTE is powered by a 1.4-litre 148bhp TSI petrol engine, which is boosted by a 100bhp electric motor. Total system power is 201bhp, while emissions are ultra low at 35g/km of CO2, thanks to the electric motor-boosted powertrain.

As with most electric vehicles, the Golf GTE has more than adequate acceleration. When both sources of motive power are in operation, 258lb ft of torque surges the hybrid Golf forward. The driver can switch between power sources, so that in urban areas, only the electric motor is used.

Electric-only, zero-emissions mode is ‘e-mode’ while, according to Volkswagen, switching to ‘GTE’ mode activates the sporty side of the car’s character.

The fifth powertrain for the Mk 7 Golf (following petrol, diesel, compressed natural gas, and all-electric versions) includes a high-voltage 8.8kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery that can be charged in 3.5 hours from a standard wall outlet.

A specially-developed wallbox or public charging station sees that time drop by one hour. The Golf GTE’s charging socket is behind the Volkswagen roundel in the front grille.

A six-speed DSG transmission has been specially developed for the Golf GTE and Volkswagen hybrid vehicles, while an electro-mechanical brake servo and an electric air-conditioning compressor safeguard optimal and energy-efficient operation of the brakes and air conditioning.

The Golf GTE takes its styling cues from both the Golf GTI and GTD, as well as borrowing elements from the electric-only e-Up and e-Golf.

Blue details replace the red highlights on the GTE’s exterior (which includes ‘GTE’ badges), while the C-shaped running lights echo those already fitted to the e-Up and e-Golf.

Specially-designed 16, 17, and 18-inch alloy wheels make the Golf GTE look more dynamic, while side skirts and a roof-edge rear spoiler apes the Golf GTI and GTD.

It’s a similar story on the inside, too. Blue stitching and detailing replaces the red highlights of the GTI, while the checked sports seats features a blue-striped tartan cloth.

The ‘Discover Pro’ touchscreen infotainment system features a driving range monitor, an energy flow display, zero-emission statistics and an ‘e-manager’.

As with the e-Up and e-Golf, all Golf GTE owners can download the ‘Volkswagen Car-Net e-Remote’ app to their smartphone free-of-charge and use it to control functions and access car-specific information.

It’s interesting to note that the initial Golf GTE press release was issued by Volkswagen USA, hinting at the car’s initial availability there, and the potential for other markets.

By bridging the gap between the all-electric e-Golf and the Golf GTI, Volkswagen have created a unique product. When we were at the New Polo’s launch last month, a plug-in hybrid version of the forthcoming model was mooted. We can only hope it ends up being something like the Golf GTE.

Prices and exact specifications for all markets are expected to follow the Golf GTE’s official launch at the Geneva motor show next month.

Following Marklund Motorsport’s announcement of the signing of Global Rallycross Championship winner Toomas ‘Topi’ Heikkinen, the Swedish outfit has teamed up with Volkswagen Motorsport to mount a factory-approved assault on the 2014 FIA Global Rallycross Championship.

The start of a three-year partnership, Heikkinen and current Marklund Motorsport driver Anton Marklund will drive newly-developed Polo RX Supercars. The series kicks off in Montalegre, Portugal on 3 May.

‘Rallycross is attracting ever-increasing levels of attention in Europe and overseas and is one of the fastest growing motorsport disciplines,’ said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Jost Capito.

‘The races are short and sweet, the cars are spectacular and look like factory models. Marklund Motorsport ranks among the most ambitious independent teams and has single-handedly developed the Polo RX Supercar for the 2014 FIA RallyCross World Championship.

‘Jan Marklund’s professional approach was our condition before embarking on this collaboration, in which Volkswagen Motorsport provides the team experience and expertise from rally sport,’ he continued.

Jan Marklund, Marklund Motorsport team owner, added: ‘Volkswagen’s pedigree in motorsport is there for everyone to see, there is no better manufacturer for us to be partnered with than the current WRC champions.

‘Volkswagen is looking to make an immediate global impact in the world of rallycross and I’m happy that Marklund Motorsport is their chosen partner for the FIA World Rallycross Championship.

‘We will now continue the hard work we have put in so far this pre-season and with the support of Volkswagen we are very much looking forward to delivering results from the first race of the new season.’

The Polo has proved its motorsport pedigree, winning the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship and with this announcement, its race-winning credentials cannot be denied.

It looks to be another exciting year for the Polo in motorsport, and we look forward to bringing all the Polo action from motorsport events around the world.

Fresh from its debut season running Volkswagen Polo Supercars, rallycross team Marklund Motorsport has announced that Global Rallycross and double X Games champion Toomas ‘Topi’ Heikkinen has signed with the Swedish outfit.

For 2014, the FIA European Rallycross Championship has become a global series, and Heikkinen will join Anton Marklund in a 500+bhp rallycross-prepared Polo.

The 22 year-old Finn will lead Marklund’s charge for the upcoming season and he and Marklund will debut new for 2014 Volkswagen Polo RX Supercars which are currently being built in the team’s workshops.

Heikkinen helped test and develop the car last season. After investment, team manager Jan Marklund believes Heikkinen will allow Marklund Motorsport to enter the new world championship as immediate title contenders.

‘Signing Topi shows the sort of progress that Marklund Motorsport is making going into the new season. His results speak for themselves and we are incredibly happy to have a champion leading our driver lineup,’ Marklund commented.

‘It’s a very exciting period in our project and shows the hard work and planning that we have put in is really paying off.’

Heikkinen agreed. ‘After a successful year winning the 2013 Global Rallycross Championship, my goal now is to win the new FIA World Rallycross Championship with Marklund Motorsport, and nothing less.

‘I’m confident that together we can develop a winning car and team. I want to thank Jan Marklund for this great opportunity to join Marklund Motorsport. I’m pumped for the season ahead.’

Existing Polo driver Anton Marklund battled against Topi in last year’s GRC and at each Global X Games and is fully aware of the talent and fighting spirit his new teammate possesses.

‘Topi is a great driver and a real competitor – I’m looking forward to working with him and seeing what this season brings.

‘We have been working extremely hard over the last 12 months and securing a driver as talented as Topi is testament to the incredible development the team has made. We want to win and be the best team in Rallycross,’ he said.

Marklund Motorsport has recently announced that it is helping develop Polo RX Supercars for the new Andretti Autosports team until its pair of Volkswagen Beetle Supercars are ready later in the season.

With just a month until the South African National Rally Championship gets underway, Volkswagen Sasolracing is looking forward to the challenges 2014 may bring.

The first event is in KwaZulu-Natal and there will be three Polo S2000s fielded by the German carmaker, who last week announced a new driver line-up.

Henk Lategan will pair with Pierre Arries for 2014, and will drive a Polo S2000, building on his first year in the series during 2013. Lategan’s previous co-driver, Barry White, takes on a non-competitive role for Volkswagen Sasolracing in 2014.

Joining Lategan are longstanding pairing Gugu Zulu and Carl Peskin. Moving up to the premier S2000 class, they trade in their Polo Vivo S2000 Challenge car for a full-fat fifth-generation-based Polo rally car.

The final combination of drivers, Hans Weijs Jnr and Björn Degandt, saw Volkswagen Sasolracing action during 2012. Now they join the team for the duration of 2014, and will travel to South Africa for each round of the championship.

Previous Polo S2000 drivers Hergen Fekken, Enzo Kuun and Douglass Judd departed the Volkswagen Sasolracing team at the end of 2013.

‘For the Volkswagen Sasolracing team the competitor line-up this season has been carefully selected to create a strong and balanced challenge for the national championship,’ said Mike Rowe, Head of Volkswagen Motorsport.

‘We have made a careful selection of talent and experience to create a team that is young, energetic and holds significant promise for the future.

‘Hans’ and Björn’s presence during the 2012 season gained the local rally championship a lot of attention from Europe. Returning to the field should provide another boost for our local profile and they will add diversity and interest.’

Rowe continued: ‘I can confirm at this stage is the inclusion of a number of exciting, young privateer teams who will be competing on the national stage in Volkswagen Polo rally cars.’

The newcomers will be led by Thilo Himmel and Armand du Toit who will tackle the S2000 Challenge category.

In the S1600 class Paulus Franken, Marco Himmel, Chad van Beurden and AC Potgieter, along with each of their navigators will keep this category highly competitive.

A new year, a new sales chart. Latest sales figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) state that despite a new model on the way, the current Polo is still selling well.

The small Volkswagen was a prominent presence in the UK sales charts for 2013, and sits in fifth place when volumes for January 2014 are added up. Volkswagen UK sold 3875 Polos last month.

Sitting one place higher is the Polo’s larger sibling, the Golf, with 4390 new registrations. Once again, the Ford Fiesta sits atop the sales chart tree with the ever-popular Focus behind it.

The SMMT reports that the new car market is up 7.6 percent with 154,562 new cars registered in January, with a typical new vehicle 27 per cent more fuel-efficient than one seven years ago.

The UK’s top 10 best-selling passenger cars during January 2014 and the year so far (sales figure and position in brackets) are as follows:

1 Ford Fiesta: 9072 (9072, 1st)
2 Ford Focus: 5333 (5333, 2nd)

3 Vauxhall Corsa: 4470 (4470, 3rd)

4 Volkswagen Golf: 4390 (4390, 4th)

5 Volkswagen Polo: 3875 (3875, 5th)

6 Vauxhall Astra: 3399 (3399, 6th)

7 Audi A3: 3130 (3130, 7th)

8 Nissan Qashqai: 3028 (3028, 8th)

9 Nissan Juke: 2704 (2704, 9th)

10 Fiat 500: 2595 (2595, 10th)